OFFALY COUNTY COUNCIL

TULLAMORE LIVING RIVER PROJECT

APPROPRIATE ASSESSMENT SCREENING

20TH JANUARY 2020

Church Street, Moate, Co. Westmeath T +353 86 1736075 [email protected] Tullamore Living River Project AA Screening Blackthorn Ecology

TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 Introduction 1 1.1 Background 1 1.2 About the Author 1 1.3 Policy and Legislative Context 1 2 Methods 2 2.1 Scope 2 2.2 Desk Study 2 2.3 Field Survey 2 3 Project Description 3 3.1 Proposed Project 3 3.2 Existing Environment 4 4 Appropriate Assessment 8 4.1 Description of Natura 2000 Sites 8 4.2 Stage 1 – Screening 12 4.3 Conclusions 15 5 References 16 APPENDIX A Scientific Names of Species 17

LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1. Project site locations 7 Figure 2. Natura 2000 Sites 11

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1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background Offaly County Council proposes a series of works, the Tullamore Living River Project, to enhance riparian habitat and water quality along the Tullamore River within and immediately downstream of Tullamore town. This project will be the subject of a Part 8 planning application. Offaly County Council as the competent authority has appointed Blackthorn Ecology to carry out Appropriate Assessment screening on its behalf for this project.

1.2 About the Author This Appropriate Assessment screening report has been prepared by Dr George F Smith CEcol MCIEEM of Blackthorn Ecology. Dr Smith has extensive experience in preparing NISs, AA screening reports and Ecological Impact Assessments for a wide range of developments. He is a Chartered Ecologist and a full member of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management, the chief professional society in Ireland for ecological professionals. As such, he is bound by their Code of Professional Conduct.

1.3 Policy and Legislative Context

In accordance with Article 6(3) of the EU Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC), the potential impacts of any project on the conservation objectives of a Natura 2000 site of European conservation importance, including Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Special Protection Areas for birds (SPAs), are to be assessed by means of an Appropriate Assessment (AA). The Habitats Directive is implemented in Irish law by the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 (SI No. 477 of 2011). The purpose of AA is to assess the impacts of projects in combination with the effects of other plans and projects against the conservation objectives of a Natura 2000 site and to ascertain whether they would adversely affect the integrity of that site. In the context of development planning, the Habitats Directive is implemented in Irish law in the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. The AA process begins with a screening assessment to determine if a plan or project is likely to have an impact on a Natura 2000 site and an Appropriate Assessment is required (European Commission, 2002, Department of the Environment, 2009). Under Section 177U of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, competent authorities must carry out Stage 1 Screening and may make use of such information as it may consider necessary to enable it to carry out that screening.

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2 METHODS

2.1 Scope Data were gathered on the habitats, flora, fauna and designated areas in the proposed development site and in the surrounding area using desk and field surveys. This AA screening report has been prepared in accordance with:  the Planning and Development Act 2000 as amended  the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 to 2015  the provisions of the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011  the European Commission’s Methodological Guidance (2002)  DEHLG’s Appropriate Assessment of Plans and Projects in Ireland (2009)  other relevant international and national guidance.

2.2 Desk Study A desk study was carried out to gather information on the ecology of the site and surrounding areas. References reviewed are detailed where appropriate. Locations and boundaries of Natura 2000 sites in the zone of influence of the proposed development were identified from current boundary shapefiles downloaded from the NPWS website1 (SAC_ITM_2019_12.shp and SPA_ITM_2019_12.shp). Information on conservation interests, objectives, conditions and threats of designated areas was obtained from conservation objectives documents, site synopses, conservation statements (where available) and standard Natura 2000 data forms.

2.3 Field Survey A field survey of the proposed development site was carried out on 17th October 2019. Habitats were surveyed following the Heritage Council’s Best Practice Guidance (Smith et al., 2011). Habitats were classified according to the Heritage Council scheme (Fossitt, 2000) and Habitats Directive habitat types (European Commission, 2013), where appropriate. These classification schemes were also used to identify potentially sensitive habitats in the surrounding area. Particular attention was paid to watercourses, drainage ditches and other potential vectors that may transmit impacts to Natura 2000 sites. Maps were prepared using QGIS version 3.4 (QGIS Development Team, 2019).

1 http://www.npws.ie/maps-and-data/designated-site-data/download-boundary-data

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3 PROJECT DESCRIPTION

3.1 Proposed Project The proposed project is a linked set of habitat enhancements for the Tullamore River with the primary aim of improving water quality and enhancing biodiversity as it flows through Tullamore town. There are five sites where habitat enhancement works will be carried out, labelled from B-F. A summary of the project proposals is provided below. For additional details, see the Tullamore Living River Project report (Harty, 2019) and accompanying plans. Detailed construction drawings and method statements will be prepared prior to commencement of works. An outline Method Statement is included in the project report (Harty, 2019) considering the consultation process, the construction process, planting and safety. Regarding consultations, construction methods and planting works will be agreed in full with several bodies, including Offaly County Council and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS). During construction, excavation would be carried out insofar as possible without contact with the river channel. Only when all new contours have been completed will the final barrier to the river channel be removed. Planting will only be carried out where required, and species selection will take into account ecological requirements and will be restricted to native species from Irish sources.

Site B Site B is a 1.8 ha site between the railway line and the R443 Srah Road to the east of the wastewater treatment plant. It has been used for storing inert spoil for the previous 6 years received from a certified contractor. It is proposed to construct a construct a wetland at this location to provide greater filtration for the Tullamore River. The river would be rerouted around the perimeter of the site and create filter marsh areas within the main body of the site. In addition, it is proposed to include a walkway along an elevated berm around the perimeter of the site for recreational amenity. Significant excavation will be required at this site, and planting will be required as well to achieve high vegetation cover.

Site C At Site C, there is a green area between Main Street and the Tullamore River immediately to the west of Lloyd Town Park. It is proposed to create a two-stage channel at this point, by lowering the ground level on the north bank of the river such that the lower channel is level with or up to 20 cm below the normal depth of the river. Planting native wetland species at this location may be required to achieve rapid vegetation cover for aesthetic purposes. It is proposed that the width of the upper channel will range from 20-30% of that of the existing channel. A fishing stand is also proposed to be constructed at this location.

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Site D This is the site of a former mill that now houses apartments. The weir and millrace are now in disrepair and the mill pond has become silted and colonised with riparian vegetation. It is proposed to reinstate a riffle feature over a long run at the location of the old weir using natural stone. This will facilitate fish passage and slightly raise the water levels above the filled- in mill pond, thus creating a wetland habitat. The old mill building is known to support an otter holt, and the final details of proposed water level increases would be subject to consultation with the National Parks and Wildlife Service to ensure there is no impact on the otters.

Site E This site is an urbanised stretch of river along the Bridge Centre car park. The main work here will be to provide access to allow litter removal and to extend the existing river walkway with a footbridge extension. A limited amount of clearing of overhanging tree branches will also take place.

Site F This site is also an urbanised stretch of river that runs behind the public library. It is proposed to improve physical habitat diversity of the river by installing a riffle feature and making the river channel narrower and more sinuous. Gravel and cobble will be placed on the riverbed, and groups of boulders will also be placed within the river channel. Additional wetland vegetation planting will be required along the new river margins. It is also proposed to lower a small area of existing open space adjacent to the library overlooking the river and to lower the wall there to allow the public better views of the river.

3.2 Existing Environment

Tullamore River The Tullamore River is a depositing/lowland river (FW2) with relatively steep banks that average c. 2 m high throughout its course through the project area. The steep banks and lack of diversity in channel morphology are evidence of past dredging and canalisation. Downstream of Tullamore, water quality was Poor for the most recent Water Framework Directive monitoring period 2010-2015, according to EPA data. Within and upstream of Tullamore, the water quality status of the river is Unassigned. Approximately 5.7 km downstream of town, the Tullamore River flows west to join the Clodiagh River. After a further 9.1 km, the Clodiagh joins the River Brosna. The River Brosna in turn flows west and south-west until it eventually meets the River Shannon at Shannonbridge.

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Site B

At present, Site B is occupied by inert spoil that has developed into a mosaic of habitats, best classified overall as recolonising bare ground (ED3). Some areas, perhaps the older or more fertile substrates, have developed into rough grassland of cock’s-foot, dandelion and some bramble. Also present are such weedy and competitive species as creeping cinquefoil, spear thistle, nettles, white clover Recolonising bare ground on spoil at Site B and common ragwort. Barer, sandy areas support an open community consisting of these species, as well as more ruderal species, such as yellow clover, coltsfoot, ribwort plantain, tall melilot and the mosses Ctenidium molluscum, Brachythecium rutabulum and Calliergonella cuspidata. Saplings of grey willow and goat willow are frequent, and downy birch is occasional. No invasive non-native species were recorded from this site, unlike many other areas of waste ground.

Site C At Site C, the Tullamore River is bounded by steep banks dominated by false oat-grass, nettles, reed canary-grass, great willlowherb and creeping thistle. On the north side, the level ground above is a well- maintained amenity grassland (improved) (GA2) lawn and a tarmac footpath. Mature poplars have been planted on the river terrace, Tullamore River and riparian vegetation at Site C set back several metres from the bank. The river itself supports a well-developed riparian vegetation of reed sweet-grass, fool’s watercress, yellow flag and duckweed.

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Site D

Across from the old mill (now apartments) at Site D, the former mill pond has been silted up and perhaps also infilled in the past. It now supports a transitional reed and tall sedge swamp (FS1) – wet grassland (GS4) vegetation dominated by reed canary-grass with frequent great willowherb and bindweed. Nettles and tree Filled-in millpond on right with old mill in background at saplings are also scattered through Site D the area; the latter include grey willow, alder and sycamore. The old millrace is completely occupied by a stand of fool’s watercress with some reed sweet-grass. The pier separating the millrace from the main river channel is well-colonised with intermediate polypody fern. As noted above, the old mill building is also known to support an otter holt (Offaly County Council, pers. comm.).

Site E

The stretch of the river alongside the Bridge Centre car park is dominated by riparian trees, including sycamore, goat willow, grey willow, crack willow and alder. Where there are banks below the stone walls lining the river, these are mainly well-shaded and dominated by bramble and ivy.

Site F At the rear of the library, the riverbanks are also steep and dominated by bramble and ivy. Also present is herb robert, reed canary-grass, great willowherb and nettles. There is a scattered cover of trees and saplings, mainly of alder and sycamore. Some elder is also present.

Steep, well-vegetated riverbanks at Site F

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Tullamore Living River Project AA Screening Blackthorn Ecology

4 APPROPRIATE ASSESSMENT

4.1 Description of Natura 2000 Sites There are three Natura 2000 sites downstream of the proposed Tullamore River habitat enhancement works. Charleville Wood SAC (site code 571) is located on the south bank of the Tullamore River, approximately 690 m downstream of Site B. The other two sites are the River Shannon Callows SAC (site code 216) and the Middle Shannon Callows SPA (site code 4096). These sites are much more distant from the proposed enhancement works sites. The locations of Natura 2000 sites are shown in Figure 2. There are no other Natura 2000 sites potentially within the zone of influence of the project.

Table 1. Natura 2000 sites downstream of the proposed project

Distance from Site Site Name proposed Qualifying Interests Code project old oak woodlands [91A0] Charleville Wood SAC 000571 690 m Desmoulin’s whorl snail [1016] Molinia meadows [6410] lowland hay meadows [6510] River Shannon Callows 39.4 km 000216 limestone pavement [8240] SAC downstream alluvial forests [91E0] otter [1355] Whooper Swan [A038] Wigeon [A050] Corncrake [A122] Middle Shannon Callows 39.4 km Golden Plover [A140] 004096 SPA downstream Lapwing [A142] Black-tailed Godwit [A156] Black-headed Gull [A179] Wetland and waterbirds [A999]

Charleville Wood SAC The overall conservation objectives of Charleville Wood SAC are to maintain or restore the favourable conservation condition of the Annex I habitat(s) and/or the Annex II species for which the SAC has been selected, which are listed in Table 1. Site-specific conservation objectives have yet to be determined for Charleville Wood SAC. At present, the favourable conservation status of a habitat is considered to be achieved when its range and distribution within a site are stable or increasing, the structure and functions necessary for its long-term maintenance are in place, and the conservation status of its typical species is favourable. The favourable conservation status of a species is achieved when its population dynamics allow it to persist, its range is not decreasing, and it has sufficient habitat to maintain populations over the long term (National Parks and Wildlife Service, 2018a).

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Charleville Wood is a large oak woodland made up of several discrete blocks in a mosaic of parkland and improved agricultural grassland. It is one of the most important ancient woodlands in the country. The presence of several rare invertebrates and fungi reflect the long persistence of woodland here. There is a small lake and wooded island in the southern part of the site. Desmoulin’s whorl snail, listed on Annex II of the Habitats Directive, is frequent in the fringing sedge vegetation around the shores of the lake (National Parks and Wildlife Service, 2013a).

River Shannon Callows SAC The overall conservation objectives of the River Shannon Callows SAC are to maintain or restore the favourable conservation condition of the Annex I habitat(s) and/or the Annex II species for which the SAC has been selected, which are listed in Table 1. Site-specific conservation objectives have yet to be determined for the River Shannon Callows SAC. At present, the favourable conservation status of a habitat is considered to be achieved when its range and distribution within a site are stable or increasing, the structure and functions necessary for its long-term maintenance are in place, and the conservation status of its typical species is favourable. The favourable conservation status of a species is achieved when its population dynamics allow it to persist, its range is not decreasing, and it has sufficient habitat to maintain populations over the long term (National Parks and Wildlife Service, 2018c). According to the site synopsis (National Parks and Wildlife Service, 2013b), the River Shannon Callows is a large site that consists of seasonally flooded wet grassland along the stretch of the River Shannon from Athlone to Portumna. Grassland communities in the site vary according to flooding regime and management and include the Annex I habitat types Molinia meadows and lowland hay meadows. Alluvial forests are present at Meelick Weir and limestone pavement is present at Clorhane, downstream of Clonmacnoise. Otter is present throughout. The site boundaries coincide almost exactly with those of the Middle Shannon Callows SPA.

Middle Shannon Callows SPA The overall conservation objectives of the Middle Shannon Callows SPA are to maintain or restore the favourable conservation condition of the Birds Directive Annex I species for which the SPA has been selected, which are listed in Table 1. A second objective is to maintain or restore the favourable conservation condition of the wetland habitat in the SPA as a resource for the regularly occurring migratory waterbirds that use it. Site-specific conservation objectives have yet to be determined for the Middle Shannon Callows SPA. At present, the favourable conservation status of a habitat is considered to be achieved when its range and distribution within a site are stable or increasing, the structure and functions necessary for its long-term maintenance are in place, and the conservation status of its typical species is favourable. The favourable conservation status of a species is achieved when its population

9 Tullamore Living River Project AA Screening Blackthorn Ecology dynamics allow it to persist, its range is not decreasing, and it has sufficient habitat to maintain populations over the long term (National Parks and Wildlife Service, 2018b). In addition to the birds listed in Table 1, the Middle Shannon Callows SPA is of special conservation interest for supporting an assemblage of over 20,000 wintering waterbirds. It is also an important site for breeding waders and formerly supported a breeding population of the Red Listed Corncrake (National Parks and Wildlife Service, 2012).

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4.2 Stage 1 – Screening 4.2.1 Potential Impact Sources Potential impacts on Natura 2000 sites from the proposed development could arise from the following sources:  Siltation arising from wetland construction  Water pollution from concrete, fuel spills or other sources during construction  Disturbance or displacement of mobile species that are Natura 2000 site qualifying interests  Introduction of invasive non-native species  In-combination effects with other plans and projects There will be no direct, indirect or secondary impacts of the project arising from other common sources (European Commission, 2002), such as habitat loss, resource requirements (e.g. water abstraction), transportation requirements, or duration of construction or operation. 4.2.2 Evaluation of Likely Significant Effects The potential for impact sources to significantly affect the qualifying interests of Natura 2000 sites identified above is discussed below and summarised in Table 2.

Siltation The proposed river enhancement works have the potential to generate sediments during construction. Sediments may become mobilised in the Tullamore River and transported to Natura 2000 sites downstream. However, the working methods outlined above where earthworks would be completed before the final barrier with the river is removed will reduce the amounts of sediments generated. This has the potential to lead to siltation of sensitive habitats and species, such as salmonid spawning gravels. Siltation of the Tullamore River cannot affect terrestrial habitats. Similarly, there is no ecological connectivity between the river and populations of Desmoulin’s whorl snail in Charleville Wood SAC, which are present in the lake in the southern part of the SAC, which is isolated from the river. With respect to wetland habitats and species of the River Shannon Callows SAC and Middle Shannon Callows SPA, any siltation caused by the proposed project would be so minor that its effects would be non-existent or at worst imperceptible. The amounts of sediment generated by the project will be relatively small and will be further reduced by the project design and working methods outlined in Section 3.1. The distance to the Natura 2000 sites is 39.4 km, which provides ample opportunity for any suspended sediments to settle out of the water column before they are reached. Lastly, the Shannon is a naturally silty river, and the qualifying interests of the two Natura 2000 sites are not highly sensitive to small amounts of silt deposition as, for example, salmonids or lamprey would be.

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Table 2. Evaluation of potentially significant effects

Site Name Qualifying Interests Potential Effect Significance

Siltation Water Pollution Disturbance Invasive Species

None- imperceptible old oak woodlands [91A0] None- terrestrial habitat None- terrestrial habitat n/a risk Charleville Wood SAC Desmoulin’s whorl snail None- no None- imperceptible None- no connectivity None- no connectivity [1016] connectivity risk None- imperceptible None- imperceptible None- imperceptible Molinia meadows [6410] n/a effects effects risk None- imperceptible None- imperceptible None- imperceptible lowland hay meadows [6510] n/a effects effects risk None- imperceptible River Shannon Callows SAC limestone pavement [8240] None- terrestrial habitat None- terrestrial habitat n/a risk None- imperceptible None- imperceptible None- imperceptible alluvial forests [91E0] n/a effects effects risk None- imperceptible None- imperceptible None- no None- imperceptible otter [1355] effects effects connectivity risk Whooper Swan [A038] Wigeon [A050] Corncrake [A122] None- imperceptible None- imperceptible None- no None- imperceptible Golden Plover [A140] Middle Shannon Callows effects effects connectivity risk Lapwing [A142] SPA Black-tailed Godwit [A156] Black-headed Gull [A179] Wetland and waterbirds None- imperceptible None- imperceptible None- no None- imperceptible [A999] effects effects connectivity risk

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The primary objective of the project is to improve downstream water quality. As part of this, the improved riparian habitat that will be created will filter sediment being transported downstream and reduce the risk of negative effects on downstream Natura 2000 sites. Therefore, there will be no significant effects on the qualifying interests of any Natura 2000 sites as a result of sediments generated during construction.

Water pollution Construction activities in or near watercourses run the risk of pollution from spills or leaks of compounds such as wet concrete, fuel, oil, lubricants, paint or wood preservatives. In sufficient concentrations, water pollution can directly damage wetland habitats and species. In the Tullamore River habitat enhancement project, the main potential pollution sources would be machinery used for excavating constructed wetlands and carrying out other river enhancement works. There will also be small amounts of other compounds used in infrastructure at some of the project site locations, such as the walkway and interpretive signage at the new wetland habitat at Site B, the fishing stand at Site C, and constructing the new public space and lower wall adjacent to the library. The limited sources of pollutants in this project means that any pollution events would be unlikely. Water pollution of the Tullamore River could not affect terrestrial habitats, nor could it affect Desmoulin’s whorl snail due to lack of ecological connectivity. Regarding wetland habitats and species in the River Shannon Callows SAC and Middle Shannon Callows SPA, any pollution caused by the proposed project would result in non-existent or at worst imperceptible effects on qualifying habitats and species. The distance to the River Shannon Natura 2000 sites means that any fuel or concrete spills or similar would be significantly attenuated by the time they are reached. In addition to dilution, dispersion and settling-out, riparian vegetation along the length of the river would also filter out any pollutants. As with siltation, the improved riparian habitat created by the project will filter pollutants travelling downstream and reduce the risk of negative effects on downstream Natura 2000 sites. Therefore, there will be no significant effects on the qualifying interests of any Natura 2000 sites as a result of pollution.

Disturbance Populations of species that are qualifying interests of a Natura 2000 site are usually not confined to the site. Construction projects have the potential to disturb, displace or affect habitats outside Natura 2000 sites that are used by these populations. Otter occupy territories along stretches of rivers and coastlines. It is known there is a holt within the old mill building in Tullamore town. This otter population, however, cannot be part of the River Shannon Callows SAC population. Irish otter territories typically range in length

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from 5-15 km (Bailey and Rochford, 2006), which much less than the c. 40 km distance between the SAC and the old mill building holt. The Middle Shannon Callows SPA is likewise too far from the project sites for any of its bird populations to make significant use of the sites. In addition, the urban nature of the project sites would be unsuitable. The created wetland at Site B, however, could potentially provide stepping stone habitats as outlined in Article 12 of the Habitats Directive for birds commuting to the Middle Shannon Callows SPA. Therefore, there will be no significant effects on the qualifying interests of any Natura 2000 sites as a result of disturbance, displacement or loss of habitat for the qualifying species of any Natura 2000 site

Invasive species No invasive exotic species were noted during the field survey, and no potentially invasive species will be planted in created wetlands. Therefore, there will be no risk invasive species being spread by the project that may have significant effects on the qualifying interests of any Natura 2000 sites.

In-Combination Effects The Tullamore River and the rivers that it flows into pass through a mainly agricultural landscape. Given the negligible effects of the project, there will be no significant in- combination effects on Natura 2000 sites.

4.3 Conclusions It can be objectively concluded that there will be no significant direct, indirect, secondary or in-combination effects on any Natura 2000 sites from the proposed Tullamore Living River Project. This is due to the low potential for negative effects from the project, the location and nature of the Natura 2000 site qualifying interests, and the inherently beneficial nature of the project. Therefore, Stage 2 AA is not required.

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5 REFERENCES Bailey, M. & Rochford, J. (2006) Otter Survey of Ireland 2004/2005. Irish Wildlife Manuals No. 23. National Parks and Wildlife Service, Dublin. Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (2009) Appropriate Assessment of Plans and Projects in Ireland: Guidance for Planning Authorities. DEHLG, Dublin. European Commission (2002) Assessment of Plans and Projects Significantly Affecting Natura 2000 Sites: Methodological Guidance on the Provisions of Article 6(3) and (4) of the Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC. European Communities, Luxembourg. European Commission (2013) Interpretation Manual of European Union Habitats. EUR 28. DG Environment. Fossitt, J. A. (2000) A Guide to Habitats in Ireland. Heritage Council, Kilkenny. Harty, F. (2019) Tullamore Living River Project. Riparian Habitat Enhancement and Water Quality Improvement Measures. Report prepared for Environment and Water Services, Offaly County Council. National Parks and Wildlife Service (2012) Site Synopsis: Middle Shannon Callows SPA (004096). NPWS, Dublin. National Parks and Wildlife Service (2013a) Site Synopsis: Charleville Wood SAC (000571). NPWS, Dublin. National Parks and Wildlife Service (2013b) Site Synopsis: River Shannon Callows SAC (000216). NPWS, Dublin. National Parks and Wildlife Service (2018a) Conservation objectives for Charleville Wood SAC [000517]. Generic Version 6.0. NPWS, Dublin. National Parks and Wildlife Service (2018b) Conservation objectives for Middle Shannon Callows SPA [004096]. Generic Version 6.0. NPWS, Dublin. National Parks and Wildlife Service (2018c) Conservation objectives for River Shannon Callows SAC [000216]. Generic Version 6.0. NPWS, Dublin. QGIS Development Team (2019) QGIS Geographic Information System. Open Source Geospatial Foundation Project. http://qgis.osgeo.org. Smith, G. F., O’Donoghue, P., O’Hora, K. & Delaney, E. (2011) Best Practice Guidance for Habitat Survey and Mapping. Heritage Council, Kilkenny. Stace, C. (2010) New Flora of the British Isles. 3rd ed. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

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APPENDIX A SCIENTIFIC NAMES OF SPECIES

Scientific names of plant species recorded on site are listed below. Nomenclature follows Stace (2010).

Common Name Scientific Name

alder Alnus glutinosa ash Fraxinus excelsior bindweed Calystegia sp. blackthorn Prunus spinosa bramble Rubus fruticosus agg. cock’s-foot Dactylis glomerata coltsfoot Tussilago farfara common ragwort Senecio jacobea crack willow Salix fragilis creeping cinquefoil Potentilla reptans dandelion Taraxacum officinale agg. downy birch Betula pubescens duckweed Lemna minor elder Sambucus nigra false oat-grass Arrhenatherum elatius fool’s watercress Apium nodiflorum goat willow Salix caprea great willowherb Epilobium hirsutum grey willow Salix cinerea hawthorn Crataegus monogyna herb robert Geranium robertianum intermediate polypody Polypodium interjectum ivy Hedera hibernica nettle Urtica dioica osier Salix viminalis poplar Populus x canadensis reed canary-grass Phalaris arundinacea reed sweet-grass Glyceria maxima

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Common Name Scientific Name

ribwort plantain Plantago lanceolata spear thistle Cirsium vulgare spindle Euonymus europaeus sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus tall melilot Melilotus altissimus white clover Trifolium repens yellow clover Trifolium dubium yellow flag Iris pseudacorus

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Church Street, Moate, Co. Westmeath T +353 86 1736075 [email protected]